Official PR: Toyota Tacoma 2012 HYBRID Announced Today?

I found a Press Release from Heyward Allen Toyota posted to Google News 13 hours ago. I have no idea how accurate this information is, but it does correspond to recent stories in the New York Times, Cars.com, etc. Links below.

"Toyota announces six new Hybrid models added to the lineup for the 2012 model year. Heyward Allen Toyota, a Georgia Toyota dealership, has learned that Toyota plans to launch six all-new hybrid Toyota models globally by 2012, according to the New York Times. This doesn't include the plug-in Prius, but that will go on sale by 2012 as well. The new Toyota hybrids will include a mix of dedicated Hybrids and Hybrid trims of existing Toyota gasoline-powered models, such as the Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Tacoma. In addition, Toyota and Tesla motors will introduce an all-electric version of the Toyota RAV4 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. It, too, will be available sometime in 2012, said John Hanson, Toyota national Manager of Environmental, Safety and Quality Communications."

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=492778&Itemid=35

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/toyota-to-offer-six-new-hybrid-models-in-2012/

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/09/toyota-will-have-six-new-hybrids-by-2012.html

 

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i could use the gas mileage

 

oh and welcome to tw!

 

That would be nice...

 

Thanks, I've been browsing TW for about a year in anticipation of purchasing. Still holding onto my 96' Camry until the 2012 Tacoma redesign surfaces.

I sincerely hope this hybrid Tacoma news is the real McCoy!

 

Great news, if its for real.

I'm not sure I'd invest in one - but only because they're an unknown in terms of reliability. I don't know much about them to jump in and get one. If Toyota offered a 100K mile warrantee, then I'd feel warm & fuzzy about them.

 

very interesting to see. this would be toyota's first, if im not mistaken, RWD hybrid.

i'd love to see more info when it comes out

 

What your adding is an electric drive system. Since they are far simpler then an internal combustion engine I doubt that will be a problem.

My real question would be in the battery pack being used. High energy density battery packs are usually extremely expensive.

It will also be interesting to see what type of hybrid Toyota builds. There are a few kinds.

 

the transmissions as well have me a bit worried. eCVTs seem pretty sketch, but I haven't heard about problems myself.

 

That's one reason why I would be interested to see an "in wheel" hybrid. Or even, possibly, an in wheel hydrogen. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/in-wheel-motor.htm

IMO, battery technology is very far from the kinds of energy densities desirable in a vehicle.

 

I'd love a hybrid that runs on bullshit. Seems to be a lot of that available these days.

 

All I see when I read anything about new Tacomas, and pretty much any car for that matter, is "goodbye manual transmission". Really blows.

BTW^^^^lmao.

 

That is pretty interesting. I bought my four cylinder / auto with its gas mileage in mind. I would probably like V6 power, but am unwilling to pay the big mileage penalty that goes with it. Plus, all four Toyota pickups I have owned have been 4-bangers. My 2010 definitely does the best on gas mileage.

Tim

 

I might be interested, but I would def be buying the warranty!

 

I can see it.....MY TRD OFFROAD HYBRID....nah it dosent sound right.

 

Unless it's a Rigeline knock-off, then it will be front drive.....

 

hybirds are cool but you have to figure out what you layout at first compared to how long it would take to make/save it back in gas mileage. most people dont keep cars/trucks 5 years

 

Can you imagine how big that sticker would be?

Otherwise, depending on their system I could be interested for a next vehicle because of the large mix of city and highway driving. Like everyone else is saying though - the warranty will be the make or break point. I would also wait till the 2014 or 2015 model myself... the first couple years of hybrids have always needed some tweaking it seems.